Inspiration & Resources - Young Hip & Married

At Young Hip & Married, we always preach: your wedding, your way. We believe every element you add into your day should represent who you are and speak to you as a couple. And that includes any wedding traditions you decide to include.

How did wedding traditions become traditions? Someone decided to do something, someone else copied them and no one questioned it for years and years. If you ask us, that’s not a good enough reason to include something in your wedding!

You don’t need to keep all of the wedding traditions in your wedding in order to get married. You can still have a beautiful wedding by going against the grain and doing your own thing. Below are 13 wedding traditions you can absolutely skip if you want to. Don’t love them? Throw them out!

The big wedding

You do not have to have the big wedding in order to get married. If the idea of planning a party for hundreds of people stresses you (or your wallet) out, don’t do it. You can absolutely plan an intimate wedding with just your closest loved ones or even an elopement with just you two!

Pre-wedding parties

Pre-wedding parties traditionally include an engagement party, bachelor and bachelorette parties, bridal showers and more. But all of those parties are totally optional. You’re allowed to get married without having an alcohol-infused bachelorette weekend in Vegas. If it’s not your thing, don’t do it. Or change these events so that they fit your style. Trade the cigars and strip club for BBQ and go-karting if that’s more your bachelor party style.

Inviting people you don’t want to

One of the oldest and strongest wedding traditions is inviting people to your wedding party who you don’t actually want to be there. You do not have to invite people to your wedding just because they invited you to theirs. You don’t have to invite people just because your parents want them there. You don’t have to invite people just because you work with them, went to school with them or even if you’re related to them.

Everyone at your wedding should bring you joy and add to your love. You shouldn’t have to fake smile at any obligation guests (as Bridechilla founder, Aleisha, calls them) on your wedding day.

Spending the night before apart

Wedding traditions tell us that the couple needs to spend the night before their wedding apart. But…why? If you’re like most couples getting married, you likely already live together and have been intimate together long before your wedding day. So why can’t you spend the night before together? Wouldn’t it be awesome to wake up with your spouse-to-be on your wedding day? If you think you might be anxious the morning of, who better to calm your nerves than your best friend and future spouse?

Flower girls and ring bearers

Yes, flower girls and ring bearers can be adorable. But if you don’t have any children in your life that you’re close to, don’t force this wedding tradition to happen. Coordinating kids in a wedding party can be a nightmare. It can also be very overwhelming for young kids to have to perform in front of a big group. They can cry, throw a tantrum, refuse to go down the aisle and kick up a fuss during photo time. Who wants that?

Plus, more people in your wedding party just means more money for you. And whatever you do, don’t actually give any young child your wedding rings before the ceremony. Odds are those rings won’t make it to you!

Wedding party

That’s right – even the wedding party can be crossed off your list of wedding traditions. If you don’t like the idea of choosing between friends, forcing them into matching outfits and asking them to pose for photos, you don’t have to do. You can skip the wedding party altogether or change it up to suit you.

Giving the bride away

You don’t need us to tell you that this is one of the most outdated wedding traditions. Handing the bride over like property from father to new husband gives most couples the icks. We get it. So, skip it! You don’t have to throw out the bride’s walk all together but you can change up the processional. Check out this link for some awesome processional options.

Registering for stuff you don’t need

Back in the day, couples got married young and moved from their parent’s home into their first house together. These days, many couples already live together or have lived on their own pre-marriage. So why are we still being told we have to run through IKEA and register for every blender, microwave and towel set available?

If you already have your home established, you don’t need to register for more stuff. Instead, register for things you really want – like a gift card to your favourite restaurant, a scuba diving trip on your honeymoon or relationship coaching to help enrich your marriage!

Bouquet and garter toss

Can we just say it? It’s weird that we force all of our single friends to stand in a bunch and fight over a bouquet or a garter in hopes of getting married next. It’s awkward for single people to be singled out (pun intended). And why are we saying that marriage is the ultimate prize? If someone is perfectly happy being single, why do they need to fight for the prize of being married next?

And then, if that weren’t weird enough, we have the process of getting the garter. Who decided it would be appropriate to climb under someone’s dress and remove an article of clothing with our teeth? In front of all of our guests, including grandma? Yikes!

Guys speaking first

Wedding traditions dictate that the men speak first. Traditionally, men say their vows first and only the groom, not the bride, gives a toast at the reception. But if that doesn’t sound right to you, mix it up! Infuse a little bit more feminist power into your wedding.

White dress and black tux

When you think of wedding attire, you probably picture a full white dress and a sleek black tuxedo. But you know what, you don’t have to wear that. You can wear whatever you want to tie the knot – wedding traditions be damned! If you’re most comfortable in pants instead of a dress, go for pants. And if you feel gorgeous in a plaid shirt or leather jacket, include that in your wedding day outfit!

Wedding night

Traditionally, a couple’s first night together is their wedding night. And even though that isn’t the case for most couples anymore, many couples still feel the pressure to have sex on their wedding night. But let us just remind you: the success of your marriage is not dependant on whether or not you do the deed on your wedding night. You can still have a very happy and intimate marriage even if you skip out on wedding night sex.

Honeymoon right away

Wedding traditions tell us that right after the wedding, the couple must get into a limo and drive off to the airport to go on an extravagant honeymoon vacation. But for many couples, that’s just not an option. It’s hard to pay for a big vacation after just having paid for a wedding. And it’s hard to get time off if you already had to take some time off for the wedding.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with going on your honeymoon later. You could even make it a one year anniversary trip! Or you could do a mini-moon and just spend a few days at a local hotel or go on a weekend getaway. Lastly, you can put your honeymoon on your wedding registry and have guests contribute to your honeymoon (instead of buying you another toaster).

Bottom line:

You can skip anything you’re doing if the only reason you’re doing it is because you think you should be. Truth is: you don’t have to. If you don’t want to add certain wedding traditions, skip them.

At the end of the day, to get married you only need yourself, a willing partner, your marriage licence and an officiant (that’s us!). Everything else you add is up to you and should be meaningful and bring you joy. If you’re only doing something because that’s what your cousin did at her wedding or what you saw in a magazine, we totally give you permission to drop it.

Wedding traditions are those things we see at almost every wedding and don’t even blink an eye at: the cake cutting, the flower girl, the bouquet toss, etc. But at some point it’s important to ask yourself, “Why are we including this in our wedding?” If the tradition doesn’t resonate with you, get rid of it! You don’t need to keep something in your wedding just because most people do.

But if you do want to include some classic wedding traditions, that’s great! We’re not anti wedding traditions. We’re just anti anything in your wedding that doesn’t feel like you. But if you love some of these wedding traditions and can find personal meaning in them, absolutely include them in your big day!

What wedding traditions will you be skipping? Let us know below & book your wedding officiant for your ceremony today!

written by Riana Ang-Canning
feature image by Emily Nicole Photos

When you think of ceremony songs, do you immediately start humming, “Here Comes the Bride?” No? Just us?

Well, there’s actually a lot more to ceremony music and many more songs for you to pick from. There are a number of big moments during the ceremony where you can add music. And there’s so many different ceremony songs you can choose. If you’re not into classical music or anything you can waltz to, throw it out! If you’re more Taylor Swift than Beethoven, let Tay play!

A while back we gave you our pick for top wedding ceremony songs. But we’d thought we’d give you a few more suggestions in this complete list.

Play on, maestro!

Processional

The processional is when your bridal party or other important people (perhaps some grandparents) make their way down the aisle. The ceremony songs below are usually the first tunes your guests will hear to let them know that the ceremony is starting.

I Was Married – Tegan & Sara
Home – Phillip Phillips
Love On Top – Beyonce
Marry You – Bruno Mars
100 Years – Five for Fighting
Your Song – Elton John
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
Everything – Lifehouse
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
Love Someone – Jason Mraz
Only Time – Enya
Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy
Canon in D – Pachelbel
Fur Elise – Beethoven
A Thousand Years – The Piano Guys
Yellow – Vitamin String Quartet
Ave Maria – Celine Dion
Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
The One – Gary Allan
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You – Elvis
Makin Plans – Miranda Lambert
Your Everything – Keith Urban
All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
I Choose You – Sarah Bareilles
Is This Love – Bob Marley
Reign of Love – Coldplay
Best Day of My Life – American Authors
Hey Ho – The Lumineers

Groom’s Entrance

We’re all about giving the groom his time in the spotlight. While traditionally the ceremony was all about waiting for the bride to come down the aisle, we say: why can’t the groom have his own aisle moment too? Check out these ceremony songs perfect for a groom’s grand entrance.

Star Wars Theme Song (or the theme song to any show you love!)
Back in Black – AC/DC
The Best Day – George Strait
On Top of the World – Imagine Dragons
Your Song – Elton John
Men in Black – Will Smith
Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top
Rhythm of Love – Plain White T’s
Let’s Hear it for the Boy – Denise Williams
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers
Marry Me – Jason Derulo
Bless The Broken Road – Rascal Flatts
Are You Gonna Be My Girl – Jet
Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Michael Buble
Somebody Like You – Keith Urban
Show Me What You Got – Jay Z
I Feel Good (I Got You) – James Brown
Some Kind of Wonderful – Grand Funk
I Believe in a Thing Called Love – The Darkness
Want to Want Me – Jason Derulo

Bride’s Entrance

The finale of the processional usually belongs to the bride coming down the aisle. This is often the big moment where everyone rises and turns to catch a glimpse of the beautiful bride coming to the front. If any of these ceremony songs are going to be remembered, it will be this one.

At Last – Etta James
Make You Feel My Love – Adele
By Your Side – Sade
Crazy In Love – Beyonce
I Do – Colbie Caillat
Love Story – Taylor Swift
Ribbon in the Sky – Stevie Wonder
Beautiful Surprise – India Arie
All of Me – John Legend
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
One Love – Bob Marley
Marry Me – Train
Cowboy Take Me Away – Dixie Chicks
Iris – The Goo Goo Dolls
Paradise – Coldplay
How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
Kiss from a Rose – Seal
Tale as Old as Time – Beauty and the Beast
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
The Luckiest – Ben Folds
She Keeps Me Warm – Miranda Lambert

Signing the Licence

You might be thinking, “We need a song to sign our licence!?!” Of course, it’s not mandatory. But it can be a little bit awkward to leave your guests in silence while you two, your witnesses and your officiant head to the side to sign your marriage licence. If you’re already setting up audio for your other ceremony songs, you might as well add one here too!

Seasons of Love – Rent
Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder
Can You Feel the Love Tonight – Elton John
By My Side – Ben Harper
One Hand, One Heart – West Side Story
Pictures of You – The Cure
The Good Life – Kanye West
This I Promise You – N’Sync
All I Want Is You – U2
Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Love Me Tender – Elton Presley
These Words – Natasha Bedingfield
What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
Silver & Gold – Neil Young
The Rose – Bette Midler
Stand By Me – Ben E King

Recessional

Finally, we have your ceremony songs for the recessional. This is when the ceremony is coming to a close, you’ve just shared your first kiss, you’ve been announced as newlyweds, and you’re headed back up the aisle beaming from ear to ear. Don’t be afraid to have some fun and play something really joyous that your guests can dance on out to.

Everything Is Awesome – Tegan & Sara
Thinking Bout You – Frank Ocean
Everything – Michael Buble
Safe and Sound – Capital Cities
Dancing Queen – ABBA
Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur
You and I – Ingrid Michaelson
Just the Two of Us – Bill Withers
This Magic Moment – The Drifters
The Best is Yet to Come – Frank Sinatra
Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine
Us – Regina Spektor
Happy – Pharrell Williams
Bless the Broken Road – Rascal Flatts
Amazed – Lonestar
Stuck Like Glue – Sugarland
You Send Me – Aretha Franklin
Head Over Boots – Jon Pardi
No One – Alicia Keys
Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay
Love Will Keep Us Together – Captain & Tennille
Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves
Happy Together – The Turtles

Now that you’ve got your ceremony songs figured out, don’t forget to book your wedding officiant for the ceremony!

written by Riana Ang-Canning
feature image by Kaoverii Silva

As couples are choosing to get married later in life or entering into second marriages, many are coming to the altar with kiddos in tow. And we think that’s amazing! It only makes everything more joyous and more meaningful when you get to involve your kids in your weddings.

Yes, your wedding is about you and your spouse joining your lives together. But it’s also about bringing your families together, and sometimes that includes your little ones. You’re not just becoming a married couple; you’re becoming a new official family!

So what’s the best way to include your kids in your wedding and honour their role in this new family? There are lots of great ways – 12 in fact. Check out some of the best options below for involving your children in your wedding day!

Involve your kids in your wedding from the beginning

Before you even get to the wedding day, you can bring your kids on board. After all, the decision to get married is one that affects them too, so it makes sense that they might want to be involved. If you’re creating a new family where you and/or your spouse-to-be will be bringing kids into the picture, it’s important to recognize their lives will be changing. Let your children know about your intention to get married and explain what that means for them. Give them a chance to have a reaction, ask questions and think things over.

Once your children have had some time to adjust and ask any questions, hopefully they are excited about their new step-parent and new family. If they’re really excited, you could even involve them in the proposal.

Bring your children into the wedding planning

There are lots of ways to involve your kids in your wedding before the big day. They probably don’t want to be there when you meet with bartenders or pick up your marriage licence, but there are lots of fun parts of wedding planning that your kids may want to get involved in. Here are a few ideas:

Invite them to the cake tasting. Who doesn’t love eating cake?
Ask them to make a playlist of songs for the DJ.
Include them in a dress fitting or shopping trip.
Involve them in any DIY craft projects you are doing for the wedding.
Bring in their favourites! Get your kid’s opinion on a favourite colour, favourite food or favourite flower that you can then incorporate into the wedding.

Invite your kids to join your wedding party

A great way to make your children feel important on the wedding day is to give them an official role in the wedding party. And you don’t just have to limit it to flower girls and ring bearers, though these roles do work well for younger kids.

You can ask your children to be bridesmaids or groomsmen, junior bridesmaids or groomsmen, maids of honour or best men, attendants, ushers, etc. You can even invent new titles like Best Lady, Best Dude or Best Kid.

Do a family vow

One of our favourite ways to incorporate kids in your wedding is to use a family vow. Traditionally, vows are just said between the couple. But with family vows, you have the parents make vows to their children, the children make vows to their parents and you can even have the children make vows to each other. It’s a very sweet way to include your entire family in the commitment you’re making on your wedding day.

For an example of some family vows, check out our vows blog post.

Assign ceremony jobs to your children

The ceremony is, obviously, our favourite part of the wedding. It’s the part when you actually become a married couple. And if you’re involving children, the ceremony can take on a whole new meaning. There are many jobs you can give your little ones so that they feel more included in the ceremony and can recognize the importance of it.

Children can do a reading, recite a poem or sing a song/play an instrument. They can hold the wedding rings. They can escort you or your partner down the aisle. And they can even be the witnesses and sign your marriage licence (as long as they are old enough to recall the event).

Other jobs your kid could do include showing people to their seats (ushering), handing out programs, directing guests to the venue and anything else that makes them feel important and part of the big day.

*Photo by Jelger and Tanja Photographers*

Add a unity tradition to your wedding ceremony

Another popular addition to the wedding ceremony is a unity tradition. This could be the newlyweds lighting a candle together or pouring different coloured sand into a vase to signify their new union. You could easily add your children to this by inviting them to join in on the unity ceremony.

Check out this post for some great unity traditions and other creative elements you can add to your ceremony.

Put your kids in writing

A great way to ensure that your children are a focal part of your wedding is to include them in all of the writing. That way, all of your guests know that this union is about more than just the two of you. It’s about an entire family joining together.

Here are some places where your children can be added in print:

Invitations: You can include your kids in the description of who is joining together or who is hosting the wedding.
Wedding website: Give your kids some screen time by including their names, photos and more on your website.
Programs: If you’re going to have a program for your ceremony, include your children’s names or maybe a special dedication to/from them inside.
Slide show: Any slide show with photos could also include snapshots of your kids.

Ask your kids to give a wedding toast

Making a toast or giving a speech at the reception is a great way for older children to get involved on the wedding day. It’s something they can work on ahead of time and a very sweet moment for all. If your kiddos are too young to give their own speech, perhaps they can recite a poem or say a quick word into the microphone. Or, you can give a speech/toast and dedicate it to them!

Gift your children a wedding day present

We all know the wedding day isn’t about receiving gifts, but it is nice to mark the occasion with something special. This can be especially helpful if you have a child who might not understand why mommy and/or daddy is getting all of the attention. You can present your child with a gift on the morning of the wedding. It might be even more special if the gift comes from the new step-parent, if that’s your situation. You could also make the gift more meaningful by tying it to the wedding. For example, you could gift your child with special jewelry that they can put on when you and your spouse are putting on your wedding rings.

Do a first look with your kids

The first look is when you do a reveal of your wedding day glow up before the ceremony starts. Usually, the first look is between the couple. But who is to say you can’t do a first look with your kids? We think that would be super sweet to have a moment just with you and your kiddos before you head down the aisle. For more info on the first look, check out our first look blog post.

Do a first dance with your kids

We all know the first dance as the moment during the reception when the couple of the hour shares a special dance together. But what about doing a first dance with your kids? This is a great way to include your kids in your wedding and dedicate a special moment to them. You can even let them pick the song! Depending on your situation, it might be nice to do a one-on-one dance or a big family dance with you, your spouse and all of your kids.

Add some kid-friendly touches to your wedding day

A great way to include your kids in the wedding is to make the wedding kid-friendly. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to invite lots of kids to your wedding. You can incorporate child-like touches elsewhere, such as:

Activity kits: Child-friendly activities, like colouring books and stickers, are handed out to keep the kids entertained during the ceremony and reception.
Games: You can set up fun games, like Giant Jenga or a scavenger hunt, for the kids (and kids at heart) to play during cocktail hour and/or the reception.
Kid-friendly signature drink: Let your kid design a special signature drink that’s fun and alcohol-free.
Family dance floor: Encourage all of your guests, young and old, to join you on the dance floor. Be sure to play music from different eras so everyone hears something they recognize.

These days, weddings aren’t only about a young couple starting their life together as a two-some. Sometimes an entire family is coming together with kids, step-parents, half-siblings and more. We say: the more the merrier! By following some of the suggestions above, you can include your kids in your wedding and let them know that they’re important in this marriage and new family.

How do you plan to involve your kids in your wedding?

Want to involve your kids in your wedding ceremony? Talk to your wedding officiant about how to plan a ceremony that works for your family. Book your officiant today!

Written by Riana Ang-Canning
Feature image by Erica Miller Photography

We’re all about helping couples create ceremonies that are true to who they are and what they feel is important. Your wedding ceremony should represent the two of you. It doesn’t have to be boring or traditional if that’s not you. Have fun with your ceremony! Personalize your ceremony with a few creative additions and really make it your own.

Not sure how to make your ceremony more personalized, unique and fun? We’ve got you! Check out these 23 creative additions to add to your ceremony to make it more you.

Beer Blending

You may have seen sand ceremonies at weddings before where each member of the couple pours different coloured sand into a glass. This is similar, but with beer! If you’re big beer drinkers or into the craft beer scene, this is the creative addition for you. One partner pours light beer and the other partner pours a dark beer into the same glass. And then you both drink – cheers!

Ring Warming

A ring warming is a nice way to involve your guests in your ceremony. During a ring warming, your rings are passed around either before or during your ceremony to your guests. Each guest holds the rings and takes a moment to pray, bless or put some good energy into the rings. Pro tip: if you have a large guest list, start this ring warming before the ceremony starts and put someone (like an eagre aunt) in charge of ensuring the rings make it to you in time. Another pro tip: Use a string to tie the rings together so no guest drops them and consider putting them in a box or bag so you can avoid spreading germs.

Write Your Own Vows

It really doesn’t get more creative than writing your own vows! You can totally write your own vows or mix and match some vows that have already been written. If you need help, talk to your officiant. Your officiant is the expert and would love to help you out with your vows!

write your own wedding vows for a creative wedding ceremony — *Photo by Jelger and Tanja*

Community Vow

Another great way to include your guests in your ceremony is with a community vow. A community vow is taking the traditional, “Do you take this person to be your husband/wife?” and turning it to your guests. For example, your officiant could ask your guests, “Do you promise to support this couple, encourage their marriage and witness their lives together?” To which all of your guests will call out, “We do!” Talk to your officiant about crafting a community vow that works for you two and your guests.

Include Your Pet

We’ve seen lots of fur babies attend their parents’ weddings. You can have your pup get walked down the aisle or invite your cat to sit in a carrier or on someone’s lap during the ceremony. Just make sure you check with your venue that pets are allowed. And ensure you have a plan for how your pet is getting to the ceremony and how they’ll leave.

get creative with your wedding by including your pet — *Photo by Kaoverii*

Seating in a Circle

Usually, guests sit on two sides facing the couple at the front. But why not shake that up? Consider seating your guests in a circle all around you. That way, you are literally encircled in the love of your family and friends. Plus, that means lots of people get a front row seat. Pro tip: Make sure circular seating works with your venue and your guest count (fewer guests is usually best).

Flip for the Vows

Traditionally, men will say their vows and answer the officiant’s questions first during the ceremony. But if you’re not wanting to keep with that tradition, why not flip to see who will say their vows first? It’s the most fair option and will give your guests something to chuckle about.

wedding vows — *Photo by Charles de Jesus*

Live Wedding Painting

Yes, this is a real thing. You can hire an artist to do a live painting of your wedding ceremony at the ceremony. The artist will set up in the back or off to the side and begin their work. By the end of your ceremony, not only will you be married but you’ll have an amazing piece of artwork!

Altar Backdrops

If your creativity is more aesthetic, consider doing something fun with the background of your altar area. During the ceremony, all eyes are going to be on you two and your officiant. So it’s the perfect place to put a flower wall, beautiful archway, hanging roses or anything else that speaks to you two!

altar backdrop, wedding ceremony decor — *Photo by Kaoverii Silva*

Rice Throwing Alternatives

Back in the day, guests would shower the newlyweds in rice at the end of the ceremony as they exited the venue. But now that we know rice is bad for the birds, we need an alternative. You can use confetti (look into eco-friendly brands that use recycled paper) or bubbles. You can have your guests wave ribbons, hit tambourines or play kazoos as you exit. Pro tip: Speak to your venue to ensure you’re allowed to bring in any of these items.

Personalize Your Bouquet

A sweet way to add a personal touch to your wedding ceremony is by personalizing your bouquet. You can add little photos of loved ones no longer with you to your bouquet so they can be with you on your wedding day. You could also add these little mementos to your boutonniere, pocket square, handkerchief, etc.

bouquet charm to honor a loved one, create additions for your wedding ceremony — *Photo by Charles de Jesus*

Pre-Ceremony Cocktail Hour

We’ve all heard of the cocktail hour, when guests get to enjoy some drinks and snacks between the ceremony and the reception. But what about a pre-ceremony cocktail hour? It’s a nice way for guests to socialize before the ceremony, to welcome guests to your wedding and to make the ceremony seem less stuffy.

Meaningful Ceremony Music and Readings

An easy creative addition to your ceremony is choosing music that means something to the two of you. There are lots of opportunities for music during your ceremony: the processional, the signing, the recessional and even when guests are waiting for things to begin. Check out our post on ceremony music for some ideas!

On the same token, you can also get very creative with your ceremony readings. You don’t have to do readings from the same poems or books that you hear at every wedding ceremony. You can incorporate readings from TV shows and movies, readings from songs, or just plain off-beat readings.

Special Runner

You can get creative with your runner that goes down the aisle at your ceremony. Instead of a traditional carpet runner, you can use flower petals or other natural decor. You can draw with paint or have arrows. Or you can get calligraphy done on a runner to share your love story or your favourite love quotes.

Creative Processional Ideas

Get creative with your ceremony right from the get go. You can mix up the traditional processional by walking in together, walking in with both parents or any other idea you have. Check out our post on unique wedding processional options for some inspiration!

wedding ceremony recessional — *Photo by Pebble and Pine Photo*

Planting a Tree

Would you believe that planting a tree is an option for your wedding ceremony? Well, it is! Another variation on a unity ritual is planting a tree. Usually, each member of the couple will lift a shovel with dirt to plant a tree in a bucket. The idea being that the tree will go home with you and represent the marriage that you are nurturing and growing.

End with a Toast

This creative addition plays in nicely with a pre-cocktail ceremony or beer blending ritual. After your ceremony, you invite your guests to toast you and enjoy a glass of bubbly, wine or beer. It’s a nice way to involve your guests, celebrate the fact that you just became officially married, and give everyone something nice to drink!

wedding ceremony champagne toast for a creative wedding — *Photo by Emily Nicole Photos*

A New Way to Bring Down the Rings

When it comes to the wedding rings, we typically think of them being brought down the aisle either in the best man’s pocket or on a pillow carried by the ring bearer. But you can get more creative than that. If you’re nature lovers, you can make a bird’s nest and have the rings put in there. If you’re bookworms, you can hollow out a novel and put the rings in there. Lots of ways to get creative with this one!

Personalized Programs

If you are making programs for your ceremony, this is an easy place for a creative addition. You can add in the story of how you two met, photos of your pets, sweet messages from your parents, funny introductions to the different elements of the ceremony, and anything else you want!

wedding ceremony programs — *Photo by Brent Calis*

Extras for Guests

If you want to go above and beyond for your guests during your ceremony, you can definitely do so. For an outdoor ceremony, you can provide fans (that can double as your programs!) in hot weather or blankets in cool weather. If you have lots of kiddos attending, you can make up a little colouring or activity book to keep them entertained during the ceremony.

Wedding Time Capsule

An awesome creative addition for a ceremony would be creating your own wedding time capsule. At your ceremony, you place letters written to each other and a bottle of wine into a box. You seal up the box, your wedding time capsule, and open it on your first anniversary. You could also throw in other mementos from your wedding day like your invite, program, etc.

Family Vows

A variation on the community vow is a family vow. This is another way to include more than just the couple in the wedding ceremony and is an awesome addition when you’re bringing together two families with children. A family vow is an opportunity for the couple and their children to all say I do and to take each other as parents and children. Check out our blog post for a great example of a family vow with children.

family wedding ceremony — *Photo by Emily Nicole Photos*

Unity Candle

The unity candle, while creative, is actually an old wedding tradition. Each member of the couple will hold a lit candle and, at the same time, light a third candle together to signify their union. However, you can get a little more creative with this if you want. You can invite your guests to take part by handing out candles and having guests pass the flame from one to another until everyone is holding a lit candle. The final guest would then transfer the flame to the couple to light their unity candle. That way, each guest is involved in the unity ritual and the couple is surrounded by a sea of candlelight. Pro tips: Check if candles are allowed in your venue, ensure everyone is being fire safe, and only try this with a small number of adult guests.

What creative addition are you adding to your wedding ceremony?

Book Your Wedding Officiant!

written by Riana Ang-Canning
feature image by Charles de Jesus

Today we’re talking all about outdoor wedding venues with Meghan and Julia of Credit Valley Conservation, who are the experts on wedding venues in nature. How do you choose your wedding venue? What questions do you need to ask? What considerations do you need to make for an outdoor venue?

About Meghan & Julia

Please introduce yourself! Who are you and what do you do?

We’re Meghan and Julia and we work for Credit Valley Conservation (CVC). Julia books wedding ceremonies and receptions at Belfountain and Terra Cotta Conservation Areas, and Meghan handles bookings at Island Lake Conservation Area. We also book wedding photography sessions at these parks.

How long have you been in the wedding industry?

CVC started offering formal wedding venue packages in 2017; however couples have used the park spaces for ceremonies or small receptions since 2006.

What first attracted you to the wedding industry?

The demand for outdoor green weddings is a growing trend and with so many people inquiring we figured we better jump on board! We both work outdoors in the park and handle group picnic bookings so it was a relatively easy transition into wedding bookings. It’s really great to be able to provide the perfect space for nature-loving couples. We hope that our couples have such a great experience that they come back to visit our parks and relive their happy memories again and again.

When you’re not busy with weddings, how do you love to spend your time?

Meghan loves to spend her time outside even when not working! Camping and exploring new places is her greatest past time. Julia can always be found running the trails at Terra Cotta Conservation Area, playing shinny on Wolf Lake in the winter time or improving her cross-country skiing skills.

About your business

What does Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) do?

CVC creates connections between people and nature, knowledge and action. We lead the protection, restoration and enhancement of the natural environment of the Credit River Watershed, and we strive to inspire a deep appreciation for the role of nature in keeping people connected, healthy and happy. Our conservation areas are great spaces to highlight the many ecosystems we protect, and they offer recreational use to the public.

What makes your venue stand out from others?

Our three parks offer very different outdoor green venue options. Island Lake has a floating amphitheatre that can hold up to 200 people. Belfountain’s ceremony location is a terrace next to a waterfall and offers unique photo opportunities. Terra Cotta is on the Niagara Escarpment and offers a beautiful natural background for ceremonies and receptions of various sizes.

What is the process of booking a wedding at CVC? How can couples work with you?

Couples can reach out to either of us to inquire about dates and the specific location they are interested in (emails below!). Then couples can come out to meet us and see the location. We’ll talk about services we offer to make sure it’s a perfect fit for them. We’re a venue-only location so we often recommend couples get a wedding planner to help with organizing and set-up on their big day.

Share a wedding story! What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve ever worked on?

Two summers ago, a couple at Terra Cotta was convinced that it would NOT rain on their wedding day and had not come up with a rain-day plan. As luck would have it, that day was the worst thunderstorm of the summer and threatened to ruin the whole ceremony. Luckily, we were able to work quickly and get our indoor venue prepared for the couple. The bridal party decorated the space and we had everything ready for the couple to get married.

Even though it was a last-minute switch, everyone stayed dry and safe, and even enjoyed air conditioning on that hot and humid day. Lesson learned that a rain back-up is needed for outdoor weddings!

What couples need to know

If you had one piece of advice for couples looking for wedding venues, what would it be?

Make sure you visit the venue a couple of times, ask a lot of questions and be sure that it’s what you really want! We meet a lot of couples who look at the space because they like the idea of getting married outside. Keep in mind that not all of your family and friends may feel the same way! Always remind your guests to be prepared, dress according to the weather and have a good sense of humour when it comes to being outside in a natural environment.

What are the current trends you’re seeing in weddings? What’s on its way out?

Rustic outdoor weddings are continuing to be the most popular trend so far. We’ve also noticed some weddings are becoming quite large with over 175 people. Having a space that can accommodate that at Island Lake has been very popular. CVC offers a variety of venues that can accommodate different group sizes up to 200 people.

What are the biggest mistakes couples make when choosing wedding venues?

We haven’t had any experience here but not having a place big enough for your guests would definitely be a mistake. No guest wants to stand in the back and feel like an extra.

Where can couples save? Where should they splurge?

Couples can save on making their own decorations, especially for that rustic feel. We think couples should splurge on the perfect venue and a wedding planner if they plan to have an elaborate wedding.

What’s something people need to understand about wedding venues?

There will probably always be one thing they have to compromise on, as long as it’s not a main factor, don’t stress over it.

Any other tips for couples planning a wedding?

Be flexible and always consider the unpredictability of nature when thinking about outdoor wedding venues. Think about rain, wind, hot days or cool nights when planning your ceremony and reception. Even a wedding in the rain can be a fun and beautiful experience, as long as you are prepared!

To learn more about CVC:

Website:
www.cvc.ca

Email:
meghan.mcintosh@cvc.ca or julia.kole@cvc.ca

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/creditvalleyconservation/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/cvc_ca/

Flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cvca/albums/72157669968511636

Upcoming event:
Visit us at The Ultimate Bridal Show March 24th, 2018 from 9am-4pm in Mississauga!

When putting together a wedding ceremony, some couples like to use quotes. Short lines about love and marriage are great additions to a ceremony. Wedding love quotes can be inserted into your vows, printed on your programs or read aloud by your officiant or a reader. It’s a nice way to include some words that are meaningful to you and represent your marriage.

Quotes can come from almost anywhere. You can include a quote from a famous love poem or your favourite episode of Seinfeld. There’s no wrong way to use a quote. Below we’ve included 33 wedding love quotes that we’re big fans of. Feel free to use these quotes in your ceremony or allow them to inspire you to find your own quotes.

And if you’re looking for something longer to include in your ceremony, check out our blog posts on readings:

“It isn’t enough to love; we must prove it.” ― St. Therese of Lisieux

“When one loves, one does not calculate.” ― St. Therese of Lisieux

“The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” ― Joseph Addison

“We are all born for love . . . It is the principle of existence, and its only end.” ― Benjamin Disraeli

“If you make it a habit not to blame others, you will feel the growth of the ability to love in your soul, and you will see the growth of goodness in your life.” ― Leo Tolstoy

“In fact, “soul mate” isn’t a pre-existing condition. It’s an earned title.” ― Pamela Druckerman, New York Times, “What You Learn in Your 40s”

“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ― Dr. Seuss

“For the two of us, home isn’t a place. It is a person. And we are finally home.” ― Stephanie Perkins, Anna And The French Kiss

“One word
Frees us of all the weight and pain of life:
That word is love.” ― Sophocles

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

“You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear.” ― Oscar Wilde

“So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you.” ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

“Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering.” ― Nicole Krauss, The History Of Love

“Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get—only with what you are expecting to give—which is everything.” ― Katharine Hepburn, Me: Stories Of My Life

“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul; that makes us reach for more, that plants the fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. That’s what I hope to give you forever.” — The Notebook

“I look at you and see the rest of my life in front of my eyes.” — (Unknown)

“The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.” — Victor Hugo

“All, everything that I understand, I only understand because I love.” — Leo Tolstoy

“I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you even more.” — Angelita Lim

“There’s no substitute for a great love who says, ‘No matter what’s wrong with you, you’re welcome at this table.'” — Tom Hanks

“I swear I couldn’t love you more than I do right now, and yet I know I will tomorrow.” — Leo Christopher

“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.” — A. A. Milne

“I would rather spend one lifetime with you, than face all the ages of this world alone.” — Lord of The Rings

“If I know what love is, it is because of you.” — Herman Hesse

“I choose you. And I’ll choose you over and over and over. Without pause, without a doubt, in a heartbeat. I’ll keep choosing you.” — (Unknown)

“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” — When Harry Met Sally

“I realized I was thinking of you, and I began to wonder how long you’d been on my mind. Then it occurred to me: Since I met you, you’ve never left.” — (Unknown)

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” — Lao-Tzu

“Thinking of you keeps me awake. Dreaming of you keeps me asleep. Being with you keeps me alive.” — (Unknown)

“You have bewitched me body and soul, and I love, I love, I LOVE YOU.” — Pride & Prejudice

“When I say I love you more, I don’t mean I love you more than you love me. I mean I love you more than the bad days ahead of us, I love you more than any fight we will ever have. I love you more than the distance between us, I love you more than any obstacle that could try and come between us. I love you the most.” — (Unknown)

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” — Charles Schulz

“All of me loves all of you.” — John Legend, All of Me

Which wedding love quote speaks to you?

written by Riana Ang-Canning
feature image by Erica Miller Photography

A California honeymoon can find you hiking in the desert, sipping wine on a rooftop, tanning on the beach or even hopping from roller coaster to roller coaster. It can be a time for adventure, romance, getting back to nature, city living or embracing your inner child. There’s a California honeymoon for everyone no matter what you’re looking for.

Here are 10 of our favourite honeymoon destinations in the Golden State.

Santa Barbara

As well as being a top wedding destination, Santa Barbara is also a hot honeymoon spot. The hip city with sandy beaches and Santa Ynez Mountain views is perfect for couples looking for a little city and a little sand. Santa Barbara is often called the American Riviera because of its perfect weather, beautiful coastline and similarity to France’s Côte d’Azur.

Disneyland

Who says you have to grow up now that you’re married? Not us! Another great option for a California honeymoon is releasing your inner child at Disneyland. Meet Mickey, go on all the rides and stay up late for the fireworks. Need even more child-like adventure? Head over to Universal Studios and join in on some Harry Potter magic at the Wizarding World.

Carmel by the Sea

If you’re looking for a Spanish beach village without leaving North America, check out Carmel by the Sea. This small coastal town is perfect for couples who enjoy a laid-back Mediteranean feel with beautiful views to boot. And fun fact: none of the businesses or homes in Carmel have street numbers. Locals go to the local post office to pick up their mail.

San Francisco

If you’re craving a city honeymoon, San Francisco is the perfect option for you. You won’t tire of things to do in San Francisco such as finding the best food in the Mission, walking around Golden Gate Park, spying the Pink Ladies, taking in the views from Coit Tower, visiting the piers and taking a trolley bus. The options are endless in SF!

Santa Monica & Venice Beach

Just a stone’s throw away from Los Angeles lies Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Leave the city behind you and spend your California honeymoon beachfront. Stroll the boardwalk in Venice Beach and admire the body builders, drum circles and fun vendors. Take a twirl at the Santa Monica Pier and the official start (or end) of Route 66.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular places to honeymoon in California. The scenic lake, which divides California and Nevada, provides stunning water and mountain views. Nature lovers will be at home with biking, skiiing, snowboarding, fishing, swimming and hiking happening all around them. When you’re done being active, relax in one of the little towns surrounding Lake Tahoe.

Wine Country – Napa Valley & Sonoma

If you and your new spouse are wine drinkers, there’s no better place to venture for your California honeymoon than Napa and Sonoma. Indulge in tours and tastings at your choice of wineries and soak in the beautiful vineyard views. You’ll also find lots of vintage shopping and adorable restaurants in the little towns in the valleys.

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a popular destination for weddings and for honeymoons, and it’s obvious why. In the middle of the desert, Palm Springs manages to be a lush green oasis. If you love beautiful views, hitting the golf course, and mid-century modern style a la Mad Men, Palm Springs might just be for you.

Yosemite

Here’s another one for the nature lovers: a honeymoon in the woods of Yosemite National Park. Enjoy hiking, rock climbing and getting back to Mother Nature with gorgeous views in Yosemite. You can go real rustic and camp or retire to a romantic lodge after a busy day in the great outdoors.

Catalina Island

Catalina Island is a great option for newlyweds who want to get away. Leaving the mainland, Catalina Island has options for both couples seeking an active and rustic honeymoon and those who want something more luxurious. Camp in the middle of the island and spend your day doing activities on the water. Or stay in a ritzy hotel, visit the casino and theatre, and treat yourself to fancy dinners.

Where would you like to honeymoon in California?

Written by Riana Ang-Canning

For this vendor interview, we’ve got Ben and Mariel Nelms of Note Photography chatting with us about working as a husband and wife team, finding that all important connection with clients and choosing the right wedding photographer for you.

About Ben & Mariel

Please introduce yourself! Who are you and what do you do?

We are Ben and Mariel Nelms, a husband and wife photography team based out of Vancouver, BC.

How long have you been in the wedding industry?

We are fairly new to the wedding industry, but Ben has been in the professional photography industry (mainly photojournalism) for the past 10 years. After shooting a few weddings together for friends and colleagues, we decided to launch our wedding business, Note Photography, in the fall of 2016, and take it full time in 2017.

What first attracted you to the wedding industry?

Spending time with a couple on one of the most joyful days of their lives together is incredibly special. We are both pretty sensitive and emotional creatures (we love feelings), so we really thrive in an environment where laughter, excitement and happy tears are not only welcome, but the norm! There’s not many other jobs out there that allow you to connect with your clients on such an honest level – so that is probably what attracted us to wedding photography in particular the most.

A huge bonus of the wedding industry that we’ve only discovered since becoming a part of it ourselves is learning how inclusive and community driven wedding professionals can be. We’ve met so many talented vendors through weddings we’ve photographed, as well as online through the many Facebook groups and Instagram accounts that are dedicated to connecting wedding professionals. To us, it’s made social media a much more welcoming environment (which has been so fun). We’ve even met up with other photographers and wedding professionals from around the world as we travel, and as they they travel to Vancouver!

What’s the best part about working with your spouse? What’s the hardest part?

We really love getting to spend so much quality time with each other while we’re actually photographing weddings and couples sessions. It’s really special to be able to look over at each other and exchange a little smile when we hear something really sweet in a speech. We also love dancing (and taking photos at the same time) once the party starts at weddings, and we always make sure that we dance to at least a few songs at every wedding we photograph! It’s a fun little tradition that helps to remind us that this is the best job ever. The hardest part is definitely the fact that we are so comfortable with each other, and therefore aren’t afraid to share our (sometimes brutally honest) thoughts and feelings on business decisions with one another. We’re getting MUCH better at communicating effectively (and kindly), but sometimes we’ll still have completely opposite opinions on how we should get something done!

When you’re not busy with weddings or other photography, how do you love to spend your time?

We have a four year old Australian Cattle Dog named Mowdy who we are pretty obsessed with, so when we are not busy taking photos or working at our computers, we try to spend as much time with her outside as we can! We love going for hikes and walks around Vancouver, or taking off on little getaways to Vancouver Island (Tofino and Parksville are our favourite).

We also love traveling and have become incredible travel partners over the years! Our most recent trips have been to Europe, China and Japan. We’re currently dreaming up our next trip, which we hope to do in March. We’re thinking we’d like to visit Ireland and Scotland, with a camper van road trip incorporated somewhere along the way!

We do spend QUITE a bit of time together, but do make time for ourselves, too. Ben loves to play hockey and baseball, and Mariel loves to cook, and volunteers at an acupuncture clinic once a week!

About Note Photography

What is Note Photography all about?

When we created Note Photography, we really wanted to pull inspiration for our wedding photography business from Ben’s photojournalism work – both stylistically, and also in our approach with our clients. The most important thing to us is connecting with our clients and ensuring that they are comfortable with us (and our cameras) before their wedding day. This allows us to document our couples in a way that showcases their true personalities in the most beautiful and non intrusive way we can. Stylistically, we try to edit our photos to look super clean, crisp and professional. Our goal with editing is to achieve a true and timeless representation of what the day actually looked like. We want our client’s memories of their wedding day to match the polished photos we deliver to them.

What makes Note Photography stand out from others in your field?

I think the fact that Ben has such an extensive and diverse background with his news photography (which he continues to do full time throughout the week as a freelance photojournalist) really sets us apart from others in the wedding photography world. Because of Ben’s experience, we really feel prepared to work in any environment and under any circumstances. Ben’s unique career highlights as a professional photographer include: travelling with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Prince William and Kate Middleton) as their Official Photographer during the Royal Tour of Western Canada in 2016, Photographing Barack Obama’s First Inauguration in 2009, and the 2011 Stanley Cup. He continues to work on news stories that change public opinion for publications such as The Globe and Mail, National Post, The New York Times, Maclean’s Magazine and more.

What is the process of working with Note? How can couples work with you?

We always love to take our prospective clients out for a coffee when they enquire with us so that they can get to know us, and see if they would enjoy spending their wedding day with us! We always say that we are probably going to be the two people that you see most on your wedding day, so it’s very important to us to make sure we are all a good fit.

Share a wedding story! What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve ever photographed?

One of the most memorable weddings we’ve photographed to date was a beautiful DIY backyard wedding that we photographed this past September in Mission, BC. The couple rented a very cool AirBnB log cabin on a large piece of property (which we thought was such a great idea), and put together the most gorgeous wedding with the help of many of their friends and family. This particular wedding was extra emotional (in the most beautiful and happy way), and we both teared up so many times throughout the entire day as we photographed the ceremony, and especially during the speeches.

What couples need to know

If you had one piece of advice for couples looking for a wedding photographer, what would it be?

Find a photographer that you trust completely to do their job based on a successful (and fun) in person meeting, and the work in their existing portfolio. You shouldn’t have any doubts about who you are trusting to document your wedding day. Ask to see a full wedding gallery that they have delivered recently to get an idea of what their coverage style looks like (full galleries are rarely posted on a photographer’s website as there are just way too many photos, and people would get extremely bored looking through them).

What are the current trends in wedding photography? What’s on its way out?

One trend that has been picking up traction (that we love) is natural posing and direction. Gone are the days of the “now everybody jump!” group shots and wedding portraits. Movement, real emotion and natural poses have taken over and we could not be more happy with this trend. One trend we believe will be on its way out soon has to do with editing/post production. We see a lot of very heavily processed images these days (often described as “dark and moody”) which can look very attractive on a Pinterest board or Instagram account, but aren’t as timeless in real life. The biggest issue we have with this trend is it really doesn’t flatter natural skin tones, and can result in what we describe as a “zombie complexion”. We have a feeling we are going to see a resurgence of cleanly edited photos very soon – almost as a response to the dark and unnatural style that has dominated the industry for the last few years. We always joke that in 20 years there will be a huge business opportunity for services that remove social media filters and heavy editing from digital and cellphone photos from this era.

What are the biggest mistakes couples make with photography?

This goes back to what’s most important to us with our own business, but we think the biggest mistake a couple can make with their photography is not taking the time to connect with their photographers before their wedding day (through coffee dates, and engagement sessions). Your photos will be so much more powerful if you like and trust your photographer, and are super comfortable with them. The goal is for your photographer to feel like just another friend getting ready with you (who happens to have a camera), and throughout the rest of your wedding day.

Where can couples save? Where should they splurge?

If you have a smaller budget for photography, we always suggest looking at less hours of coverage with a professional you love, over choosing all day coverage with a photographer with less experience or who you aren’t as enthusiastic about. At the end of the day, it’s so much better to have fewer photos that you absolutely LOVE over a TON of really mediocre photos.

If you are able to splurge, investing in an all day package with a photographer whose work you really connect with makes for the best possible experience (and eliminates potential stress about running behind schedule). We offer hourly coverage on a per-client basis, but also have a full day package that we’ve put together, which includes unlimited wedding day coverage, a 2 hour engagement session and a large, custom hard cover wedding album. Most of our clients go with our full day package as it is priced well and includes all the add-ons that most couples are looking for. We decided to include an heirloom album in our package because we really believe it is the best way to showcase the professional photos our clients have invested in, and is something that will stand the test of time. If we’ve learned anything from the last 190 years of photography on earth – high quality physical prints last over everything else.

What’s something people need to understand about wedding photography?

If you remember anything from this interview, remember this: professional photographers are trained to find the beauty in any environment, and anyone. We remember stressing over the smallest details before our wedding day, and we wish we had just let it all go and had as much fun as we possibly could have with the planning, and on the day of our wedding. The most beautiful photos happen when you are relaxed, happy and most importantly, yourself. We will take care of the rest.

Any other tips for couples planning a wedding?

Leverage the wedding professionals you hire (especially the ones who are married themselves)! We have all been to so many different varieties of weddings, and we know a LOT about most aspects of wedding planning. Ben and I are always more than happy to help our couples with planning questions (even if they have nothing to do with wedding photography) because we were in their shoes ourselves 2.5 years ago! It can be a very overwhelming place!

Thank you so much for taking the time to get to know us better! We would love to connect with you, and hope to hear from you on Instagram (you can keep up with us, and our dog, on Instagram stories most days). Most importantly, we hope this information has been helpful!

For more from Ben & Mariel of Note Photography, visit them:

Website:
www.notephotography.com

Email:
hello@notephotography.com

Social media:
www.instagram.com/note.photography
www.facebook.com/notephotosyvr/

On November 22nd, we joined our fellow wedding vendors at the 8th annual BC Professional Wedding Awards at the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam. It was an amazing night for us to catch up with old friends, sample delicious hor d’oeuvres and wedding cakes, drink wine served by a flying fairy (yes, really!) and cheer on some of the amazing work in our industry of love. Plus, we got to take home a little love for ourselves!

*Our team at the 2017 BC Wedding Awards!*

We are so honoured and excited to announce that Young Hip & Married received top honours in our category. Our very own Officiant Randy Hamm was voted Top Wedding Officiant in BC. Way to go, Randy! Another member of our team, Officiant Kristen Olynick, was also chosen as one of the top three finalists!

Randy won for his Western Wedding with Andrea and Hill. Here’s Randy with the story of that amazing wedding:

I first met Hill and Andrea when they requested relationship coaching in preparation of their marriage. As we talked about their wedding it became obvious I was a great match for their ceremony. They wanted a western theme with fun bits spread throughout a thoughtful ceremony. We came up with a coconut clicking groom entrance (ala Monty Python), a hearty Yee-Haw response to the community pledge and even a bride-roping symbol of unity.

Not only were they pleasantly surprised these were allowed and encouraged, they were thrilled with how we figured out the perfect balance of quirky humour and touching sentiment. The venue, Fort Langley, lent itself to the western theme, and dressing the part was a lot of fun for all of us! Besides telling their personal story, bringing in how others see them and balancing differing spiritual viewpoints, I also offered them a cowboy poem to go with their theme. In the end, they loved what we came up with and the wedding was a blast.

*Photo by Kat Grabowski – Art and the Aerialist*

Kristen won her spot in the top three for Spanish-English wedding with Vanadis and Jeff. Here’s Kristen’s story of that wedding:

Vanadis & Jeff knew what they wanted for their destination wedding in Pemberton on June 17th. Meeting up over herbal teas, they shared their amazing love story. Vani (as she preferred to be called) was from Venzuela & Jeff’s family from Trinidad. They explained to me that they wanted their wedding to reflect who they are as a couple, their values and passions for music, travel, natural beauty, intimacy of family and close friends, and amazing culinary experiences! They desired to use primarily local vendors to support the community they were being married in. Vani & Jeff envisioned a fun celebration, delicious food and non-stop music, aiming for a rustic chic vibe with a personalized ceremony script.

As some guests did not speak English, they asked me if I’d be willing to speak some Spanish during the ceremony. I hesitated as I don’t speak Spanish. Yet with the heart connection we were making, I knew that I could accept the challenge and help to create the ceremony of their dreams. In the eight months prior to their wedding day, we got to know each other better as I began to put their story together for the ceremony.

I love destination weddings for so many reasons. The top reason is spending quality time together. With no one having to dash off or drive endless minutes through traffic to get anywhere after the rehearsal, everyone is so relaxed and in the moment. Getting to know each other and learning more about Vani and Jeff from their friends and family’s perspective was such a gift to me. Vani and Jeff stayed true to themselves, created the wedding day of their dreams and I was filled with joy to create a personalized wedding ceremony script.

Together, we nailed it! And with mucho mucho practice, I was able to deliver some phrases in Spanish! So happy I said “si” to Vani y Jeff!

We are so grateful to our community and the judges for giving us this award. Thank you! We have the best jobs in the world and the best industry to work in. We had a blast at the BC Wedding Awards and can’t wait to come back in 2018 to celebrate another amazing year in weddings!

***

written by Riana Ang-Canning

Randy’s wedding photos by Kat Grabowski – Art and the Aerialist

Kristen’s wedding photos by Mathias Fast Photography

This week we’re chatting with Jeanine Wilk from Niche Events about working with a wedding planner, the importance of communication and the sweet wedding tradition that had Jeanine wiping away the tears!

About Jeanine

Please introduce yourself! Who are you and what do you do?

Hi! My name is Jeanine, and I am the Principle Planner for Niche Events.

How long have you been in the wedding industry?

I have been involved in the events industry for over 7 years. However, I have worked specifically with weddings for the past 5 years. Niche Events was where I first started in this magical world, and thanks to Maria, our Owner and Creative Director, I have had the incredible opportunity to work my way up to where I am now. She believed in me and gave me so much, and I couldn’t be more thankful.

What first attracted you to the wonderful world of weddings?

I honestly have no idea! It just kind of came to me one day out of no where, almost like an epiphany, that this is what I wanted to do. I am a small-town Alberta girl originally, so I had never even seen a ‘big city’ wedding per say, but I knew it was where I needed to be and what would make my heart happy. And no, I wasn’t even inspired by the J.Lo movie!!

When you’re not busy planning weddings, how do you love to spend your time?

I love to catch up with my loved ones as much as possible, whether it’s going out for coffee, lunch, or a quick shopping adventure. I like to take care of myself and keep healthy, especially with how intense the wedding season can be, by going to the gym every day, hiking, and making dinner more often than going out. I also love to curl up with some tea and a good book!

About Niche Events

What does Niche Events do?

We are a full service planning and design company; we provide both Full Planning and Wedding Management services, as well as Proposal Planning and Social Event Planning. Earlier this year, I got my certification for planning destination weddings, so that is a new and exciting element we are adding!

What makes Niche Events stand out from other wedding planning companies?

We are a small planning and design company, and we pride ourselves in custom weddings for each and every client. We take on a limited number of weddings per season, and I personally only like to take on one wedding per weekend. I want my complete focus and attention on the couple getting married that weekend, not shared between two couples on the same weekend. It is so much more personalized that way.

What is the process of working with Niche Events?

Get in touch with us and let me take you out for a coffee! It really is that easy in all honesty to get started – and that easy during the whole planning process! I communicate with a lot of my couples through email (obviously) but also set up group chats for the avid texters and Skype meetings if no one wants to venture out of the house. We mold to your communication style, work hours, and lifestyle to make the whole journey fun, memorable, and stress free.

Share a wedding story! What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve ever worked on?

Oh my goodness, I feel like I am blessed with having each wedding I do be so incredibly memorable! Seriously, I have the best clients! One of my fondest memories is not as dramatic as people may think. The bride had this idea for the longest time that she would love to hand her bouquet to her grandparents, who have been married for some 65 years or so. So, instead of tossing her bouquet into a group of single fiesty ladies, we called up all the couples to the dancefloor. The emcee asked everyone who has been together under a year to leave the floor…then under two years…under five years…until it was just the grandparents left. I hid in the back of the crowd to hide my watery eyes, but I could clearly see that most of the wedding guests were tearing up from pure happiness. The love that those two grandparents had for each other after so long was so moving. Just the feeling of that moment shared with this intimate group of people was such a honor to be part of, and I think that’s what made it one of my fondest memories.

What couples need to know

If you had one piece of advice for couples looking for a wedding planner, what would it be?

Take the time to meet your planner and see how you vibe face to face. Talk all about your big day, and take that chance to get to know each other before signing any formal agreements; this process doesn’t just have to be a strictly professional relationship, it can be a friendship, too! Whether you are dedicated to full planning, or just need some help on the day of, you will be working together on one of the most important days of your life, so you should have a great connection with that person. I am still friends with so many of my couples, and I wish the same for all future couples as well!

What are the current trends in weddings? What’s on its way out?

Being authentic to yourselves is a huge trend right now! There is no recipe to follow when it comes to constructing your wedding day – if you want to have creative elements to your day, go for it! Fusion weddings, where two different backgrounds are coming together, are a great example of that. As planners, we get the chance to suggest ideas that create a perfect balance of what is most important to each thus creating a completely unique day that no one else would have. Custom ceremonies are also huge! Nothing is out of bounds.

What is the biggest mistake couples make when working with a wedding planner?

Not communicating enough. Even if you think it is a minor detail, there is a reason your mind keeps thinking about it or going back to it. As much as we try to be, we are not always mind readers! Talk to us about it and let us know if there is something you want to add to the day to make it special, or if there is something about the day you are unsure about. No thought or question is a bad one. Trust me, it will put you at ease to talk to a professional.

Where can couples save on their wedding? Where should they splurge?

The absolute best way couples can save on their wedding is managing their guest count. Keeping things small and intimate allows your budget to go further since you don’t have to battle with quantity. Definitely splurge on the food! That is one of the top things guests remember and talk to all their friends about. Mixing up the menu and designing something fun and creative is always a good idea.

What’s something people need to understand about wedding planning?

There are still decisions that your planner will need you to make. Once you hire a wedding planner, it doesn’t magically pop up like the movies make it seem. It is a team effort to plan a wedding. The planner will take a LOT of the weight off your shoulders, but you still will get homework from us that needs to be done.

Any other tips for couples planning a wedding?

Enjoy the day itself! No matter how much ‘down time’ you schedule into the timeline, the day is still going to go by so fast. Relax and enjoy each moment with each other, and with all your family and friends. Don’t stress about the small things on the day…your wedding planner and the team of professionals has everything else covered!

For more from Jeanine and the team at Niche Events, visit them below:

Website:
www.nicheeventstylists.com

Email:
info@nicheeventsylists.com

Social media:
www.facebook.com/Nichestylists
www.instagram.com/nichestylists/
www.pinterest.ca/nichestylists/
www.twitter.com/nichestylists